_0.jpg)
Lemoore honors citizens who volunteer to keep Lemoore safe and vibrant
The City of Lemoore’s Community Services Department, in cooperation with the Police Department, on Thursday night in the Cinnamon Recreation Complex, honored an impressive array of volunteers, about 275 of them, who showed up for the annual “Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.”
“The turnout was amazing,” said Lemoore Chief of Police Darrell Smith, who along with Community Service Director Jason Glick, introduced the volunteer groups and individuals. “It is a great opportunity for our city and our organization to recognize the services of all those people who go above and beyond – on a daily basis – to make our city unique,” continued Smith. “It is also our opportunity as a city to give back to those who serve in appreciation for their selfless community volunteer service.”
The large contingent dined on barbecued tri-tip, chicken salad, beans, rolls and homemade cupcakes, the entire dinner rounded up and prepared by the Lemoore Police Department. Along the way, Community Services Director Glick, and Chief Smith, saluted the many volunteers who year in and year out have made a difference in their city. The two also gave out several special awards, to individuals and groups that over the years have racked up hundreds of volunteer hours.
Lemoore’s top recreation volunteer – for the second time – was Dr. Ernie Smith, a well-known educator who grew up in Lemoore. Smith created a program called “Witness for Fitness,” a walking program that twice a week he leads a hearty band of 50-70 seniors, between the ages of 55 and 95, on a brisk half-hour walk in the recreation complex, followed by hand weights, chair exercises, and resistance bands.
Many of his disciples were on hand Thursday night as he was presented with his second “Volunteer of the Year Award.” Over the course of his five-year tenure as the program’s leader, he has accumulated roughly 1,560 hours, which translates into 65 days of pure walking.
Smith, who served a distinguished career as a college administrator, currently serves on the Lemoore Parks and Recreation Commission.
“When I got on the (Recreation) commission … I didn’t see anything that was being done for seniors,” said Smith, a 1965 Lemoore High School graduate. “I said we need to get our seniors out there who were 55 to 90.
“Walking is very simple. I wanted to start a walking group. We started out with four people,” he remembered. “As we grew I started adding more activities, like building strength… and endurance. It’s a program for seniors who want to increase their quality of life. It became a real winner for a lot of people.”
Chief Smith introduced the Volunteers in Police (VIPs) and thanked them for their continued service over the years. A special award was presented to VIP Mark Rogers, a workhorse of a volunteer, who put in over 900 hours last year.
Since its inception in 1997 Lemoore VIPs have contributed some 80,000 hours of service to the community.
Smith also recognized Apartment Managers of the Year, Louise Tajera and Sofie Rivera. Neighborhood Watch Block Captains of the Year, Maria and Manual Longoria, were also honored, along with coaches in the Lemoore Police Activities League who put in countless hours with the group’s wrestling program: Aaron Lopez, Alex Buentello, Henry Campos, Jesus Guzman, Martin Gutierrez, and Sergeant Mathew Gonsalves.
Among those recognized by the Lemoore Parks and Recreation Department was the Lemoore Leo’s Club, and Teen Volunteer of the Year Tomi Ford.
